Karen O'Leary is a New Zealand early childhood teacher, comedian and actress. She played Officer O'Leary in Wellington Paranormal, which ran for four seasons from 2018–2022.[1][2]
| Karen O'Leary | |
|---|---|
| Notable works and roles | Wellington Paranormal |
| Website | https://olearious.co.nz/ |
Early life
editO'Leary grew up in Miramar, Wellington and attended Wellington High School and Victoria University.[1][2] She graduated with a bachelor's degree in education and is an early childhood teacher in Wellington.[3] She got involved in acting when casting director Tina Cleary, the parent of one of the children at the centre, encouraged her to audition for a part in the 2014 film What We Do in the Shadows.[4]
Career
editO'Leary played Officer O'Leary in the film What We Do in the Shadows and continued the same role in the spin-off television series Wellington Paranormal.
In 2018, O'Leary appeared in the comedy film The Breaker Upperers.[5]
In 2020, O'Leary presented educational activities on Home Learning TV, a dedicated New Zealand television channel for children learning at home due to school closures during the national lockdown to control the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
In 2023, O'Leary appeared on the panel show Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee. She appeared in series 4 of Taskmaster NZ.
Personal life
editO'Leary lives in Wellington with her son Melvyn and her partner, Eilish Wilson.[7]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Water Cooler | Karen | 3 episodes |
| 2018 | Educators | Police Officer | Episode 1.8 |
| 2018–2022 | Wellington Paranormal | Officer O'Leary | Main role |
| 2020–2023 | The Eggplant | Principal Kathleen Morris | 13 episodes |
| 2023 | Bouncers | Marty; Barbs | 5 episodes |
| 2023 | Far North | Justine | 2 episodes |
| 2024 | Time Bandits | Stomachface | 7 episodes |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | What We Do in the Shadows | Policewoman | |
| 2016 | Pot Luck | Donna | |
| 2018 | The Breaker Upperers | Police Officer | |
| 2021 | Two Idiots and a Tin Whistle | Guest Judge | |
| 2021 | Millie Lies Low | Campus Security | |
| 2021 | Finding the Lighthouse | Charlie | Short |
| 2022 | Nude Tuesday | Chen | |
| 2023 | Red, White and Brass | Lorraine |
References
edit- ^ a b "The most interesting woman on NZ TV: Wellington Paranormal's Karen O'Leary". The Spinoff. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ a b Jacobson, Julie. "At Home With Wellington Paranormal's Karen O'Leary and Her Wild Wellington Family". Now To Love. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Karen O'Leary". wgtn.ac.nz. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "National portrait: Karen O'Leary – Paranormal but very normal". Stuff. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Wellington Paranormal's reluctant star". Stuff. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Home Learning TV". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Wilosophy" (Podcast). 4 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.[permanent dead link]